TEA Members

Iowa Congressman David Young (R-IA) and his staff member Laura Hartman visited PPI (based in Pella, Iowa – the visit was at the office in Corning, Iowa) in late August. He announced to the employee owners there that he is considering signing on H.R. 2096.

ESOP Association member Jeff Gelburd at Murray Securus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania recently shared the following news with the Association:

“Leaving off from a similar meeting at Restek Corporation last March, Murray Securus hosted a roundtable discussion in July 2015 at Clipper Stadium, home of the Lancaster Barnstormers, an International League Baseball Club.

J. Michael Keeling, President of The ESOP Association, visited the Omni Cable corporate office, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on Friday, July 31st. During his visit, he met with the Jeff Siegfried (President & CEO), Greg Donato (Chief Operating Officer), the ESOP Trustees, and a few Committee members to discuss everything ESOP. Omni Cable’s ESOP, the state of ESOPs, what other people are doing, and more. His visit concluded with a tour of the distribution center, guided by Jimmy Moreno (Distribution Center Manager).

Congressman Reid Ribble (R-8) visited the Hatco Corporation manufacturing facility in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on August 11. Congressman Ribble toured the facility and held a very constructive meeting with employee owners discussing what employee ownership has done for the company and for them personally. Congressman Ribble stated his support for employee ownership and committed to reviewing H.R. 2096 (The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2015) after the visit and that he would consider signing on to the bill after that review.

Hatco is a worldwide designer and manufacturer of commercial foodservice equipment that offers innovative solutions to the foodservice industry. The company has grown steadily through the years by product line expansion and great customer service. Hatco began in 1950 and first became employee owned in 2004. Today Hatco is a 100% S Corp ESOP.

CEMSI, ComSonics Electronic Manufacturing Services Incorporated, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia recently hosted Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R) of Virginia’s 6th District for a tour of the ComSonics manufacturing facility. ComSonics reported that Congressman Goodlatte has always been a strong supporter of employee ownership and he is always willing to take time from his busy schedule to visit with our employee‐owners when he is available.

During his visit, there was time to answer questions and the Congressman shared his views about employee ownership and his ongoing belief that it works. ComSonics employee owners also took the time to discuss H.R. 2096 and asked for his support on the Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act.

ComSonics also provided a letter asking for his backing upon his departure. Within a few weeks the company received a letter from the Congressman noting that he was pleased to inform ComSonics that he had become a cosponsor of the legislation.

In July, the employee owners of Restek Corporation, located in Bellafonte, Pennsylvania, met with Congressman Glenn Thompson (PA-5) to review H.R. 2096. According to Restek employee owner, Mike Shuey, the Congressman expressed support for the bill. And we are happy to report that Congressman Thompson became a co-sponsor of H.R. 2096 on July 28.